…..As he lands back in the country.
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Prime Minister (PM) His Excellency Cleopas Sipho Dlamini has given feedback on the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union, which was held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This was during a media briefing held shortly after he landed earlier today. The PM among other things said the Peace and Security Council expressed grave concern over persistent conflicts, as well as terrorism and violent extremism in the continent.
He said the Peace and Security Council noted with concern the unfolding situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini and requested the African Union Commission, in ordination with SADC and Eswatini to promise peace and dialogue towards the resolution of the political and social crisis in the country.
Furthermore, the Summit adopted a number of reports delivered by Chairmen of the various sub-committees and champions of specific interventions, including a report on the activities of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the State of Peace and Security in Africa.
“ The Summit urged the PSC to prioritise the implementation of the outcomes of the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in May 2022, to robustly respond to the pressing twin security issues of unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) and the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism,” said his Excellency.
In addition to that the PM said the Assembly also adopted the 6th Report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) on the Implementation of the African Union Master Roadmap of Practical Steps for Silencing the Guns in Africa by the Year 2030.
They (Assembly) also took a decision on the on-going global food crisis wherein they underscored the urgent need for robust initiatives and measures to ensure the continents sovereignty and food security.
They welcomed the efforts made by States to address the food challenges, particularly through increased production and investment in agriculture.”
“I presented a statement on behalf of the Five SACU Member States regarding the finalisation of the AfCTA SACU Tariff Offer since His Majesty is the current chairperson. The theme for 2023 is ‘Accelerating the Implementation of the AfCTA’, and this theme was launched during the Summit.
“In essence, the statement outlined that SACU has submitted its tariff offer to the AfCTA that meets the required level of ambition, and it is currently going through the verification process. This offer will be adopted by the Assembly during the next Summit scheduled for June 2023,” said the PM.
This essentially means that SACU Member States will soon start trading under the AfCTA preferentially considering that all of them have also ratified the Agreement. This will allow the private sector to grow their trade into Africa and lead to economic growth in respective countries in SACU, especially Eswatini.
